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Huang YH, Wang WL, Wang PH, Lee HT, Chang WW. EXOSC5 maintains cancer stem cell activity in endometrial cancer by regulating the NTN4/integrin β1 signalling axis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:265-279. [PMID: 38164180 PMCID: PMC10750274 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.86275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common type of uterine cancer in developed countries, originating from the uterine epithelium. The incidence rate of EC in Taiwan has doubled from 2005. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that have high tumorigenicity and play a crucial role in the malignant processes of cancer. Targeting molecules associated with CSCs is essential for effective cancer treatments. This study delves into the role of Exosome component 5 (EXOSC5) in EC. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas suggests a correlation between high EXOSC5 mRNA expression and unfavorable EC prognosis. EXOSC5 knockdown diminished EC-CSC self-renewal and reduced expression of key cancer stemness proteins, including c-MYC and SOX2. Intriguingly, this knockdown significantly curtailed tumorigenicity and CSC frequency in EC tumor spheres. A mechanistic examination revealed a reduction in netrin4 (NTN4) levels in EXOSC5-depleted EC cells. Moreover, NTN4 treatment amplified EC cell CSC activity and, when secreted, NTN4 partnered with integrin β1, subsequently triggering the FAK/SRC axis to elevate c-MYC activity. A clear positive relation between EXOSC5 and NTN4 was evident in 93 EC tissues. In conclusion, EXOSC5 augments NTN4 expression, activating c-MYC via the integrin β1/FAK/SRC pathway, offering potential avenues for EC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hao Huang
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ling Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hui Wang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Te Lee
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Institute of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 115024, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Wei Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
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2
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Kong W, Huang Y, Jiang P, Tu Y, Li N, Wang J, Zhou Q, Zheng Y, Gou S, Tian C, Yuan R. YAP1 affects the prognosis through the regulation of stemness in endometrial cancer. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15891. [PMID: 37744228 PMCID: PMC10517666 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endometrial cancer stem-like cells (ECSCs) have been proven to be responsible for recurrence, metastasis, and drug-resistance in patients with endometrial cancer. The HIPPO pathway has been shown to play an important role in the development and maintenance of stemness in a variety of tumors. While there was less research about its function in ECSCs. The aim of this study was to explore the role of YAP1, a core molecular of HIPPO pathway, in the stemness of endometrial cancer and to reveal its influence on prognosis. Methods We collected specimens and clinical data from 774 patients with endometrial cancer to analyze the correlation between YAP1 expression and prognosis. We then examined the expression of YAP1 in ECSCs and EC cell lines (Ishikawa; HEC1-A) in vitro experiments. Changes in the stemness of cell lines were detected after YAP1 silencing by siRNA. Finally, high-throughput sequencing was used to predict the potential molecular interactions and mechanisms of YAP1's effect on stemness. Result Down-regulation of YAP1 significantly suppresses the stemness of EC cell lines. High expression of YAP1 leads to poor prognosis in EC by regulation of stemness. Conclusion YAP1 plays an important role in the prognosis of patients with EC by regulation of stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Kong
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuzhen Huang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Tu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinyu Wang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunfeng Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shikai Gou
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenfan Tian
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Yuan
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Kulinczak M, Sromek M, Panek G, Zakrzewska K, Lotocka R, Szafron LM, Chechlinska M, Siwicki JK. Endometrial Cancer-Adjacent Tissues Express Higher Levels of Cancer-Promoting Genes than the Matched Tumors. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091611. [PMID: 36140779 PMCID: PMC9527013 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular alterations in tumor-adjacent tissues have recently been recognized in some types of cancer. This phenomenon has not been studied in endometrial cancer. We aimed to analyze the expression of genes associated with cancer progression and metabolism in primary endometrial cancer samples and the matched tumor-adjacent tissues and in the samples of endometria from cancer-free patients with uterine leiomyomas. Paired samples of tumor-adjacent tissues and primary tumors from 49 patients with endometrial cancer (EC), samples of endometrium from 25 patients with leiomyomas of the uterus, and 4 endometrial cancer cell lines were examined by the RT-qPCR, for MYC, NR5A2, CXCR2, HMGA2, LIN28A, OCT4A, OCT4B, OCT4B1, TWIST1, STK11, SNAI1, and miR-205-5p expression. The expression levels of MYC, NR5A2, SNAI1, TWIST1, and STK11 were significantly higher in tumor-adjacent tissues than in the matched EC samples, and this difference was not influenced by the content of cancer cells in cancer-adjacent tissues. The expression of MYC, NR5A2, and SNAI1 was also higher in EC-adjacent tissues than in samples from cancer-free patients. In addition, the expression of MYC and CXCR2 in the tumor related to non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma and reduced the risk of recurrence, respectively, and higher NR5A2 expression in tumor-adjacent tissue increased the risk of death. In conclusion, tissues proximal to EC present higher levels of some cancer-promoting genes than the matched tumors. Malignant tumor-adjacent tissues carry a diagnostic potential and emerge as new promising target of anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Kulinczak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Sromek
- Department of Cancer Biology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Panek
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Klara Zakrzewska
- Department of Pathology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Lotocka
- Cancer Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics Laboratory, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukasz Michal Szafron
- Department of Cancer Biology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Chechlinska
- Department of Cancer Biology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Konrad Siwicki
- Department of Cancer Biology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-546-2787
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Ferrer AI, Einstein E, Morelli SS. Bone Marrow-Derived Cells in Endometrial Cancer Pathogenesis: Insights from Breast Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040714. [PMID: 35203363 PMCID: PMC8869947 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer, representing 3.5% of all new cancer cases in the United States. Abnormal stem cell-like cells, referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs), reside in the endometrium and possess the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into cancer progenitors, leading to tumor progression. Herein we review the role of the endometrial microenvironment and sex hormone signaling in sustaining EC progenitors and potentially promoting dormancy, a cellular state characterized by cell cycle quiescence and resistance to conventional treatments. We offer perspective on mechanisms by which bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) within the endometrial microenvironment could promote endometrial CSC (eCSC) survival and/or dormancy. Our perspective relies on the well-established example of another sex hormone-driven cancer, breast cancer, in which the BM microenvironment plays a crucial role in acquisition of CSC phenotype and dormancy. Our previous studies demonstrate that BMDCs migrate to the endometrium and express sex hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors. Whether the BM is a source of eCSCs is unknown; alternatively, crosstalk between BMDCs and CSCs within the endometrial microenvironment could be an additional mechanism supporting eCSCs and tumorigenesis. Elucidating these mechanisms will provide avenues to develop novel therapeutic interventions for EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra I. Ferrer
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.I.F.); (E.E.)
- School of Graduate Studies Newark, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Ella Einstein
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.I.F.); (E.E.)
| | - Sara S. Morelli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Correspondence:
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5
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Tribbles Pseudokinase 3 Contributes to Cancer Stemness of Endometrial Cancer Cells by Regulating β-Catenin Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123785. [PMID: 33334065 PMCID: PMC7765506 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Endometrial cancer (EC) is the second most common female malignancy worldwide, but the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3) is a kind of scaffold protein that may regulate multiple cellular processes by organizing binding partner proteins involving signaling transduction pathways. The goal of this study is to investigate if TRIB3 is involved in the malignant features of EC. Our data demonstrate that TRIB3 positively regulates the cancer stem-cell activity and in vivo tumorigenicity of EC cells by modulating β-catenin signaling through directly interacting with the ELF4 transcription factor. Our results could lead to new insight for developing a novel therapeutic strategy for EC by targeting TRIB3. Abstract Endometrial cancer (EC) is the second most common gynecological malignancy worldwide. Tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3) is a scaffolding protein that regulates intracellular signal transduction, and its role in tumor development is controversial. Here, we investigated the biological function of TRIB3 in EC. We found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of TRIB3 was significantly and positively correlated with shorter overall survival of EC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The protein expression of TRIB3 was found to be significantly increased in EC cancer stem cells (CSCs) enriched by tumorsphere cultivation. Knockdown of TRIB3 in EC cells suppressed tumorsphere formation, the expression of cancer stemness genes, and the in vivo tumorigenesis. The expression of β-catenin at both the protein and the mRNA levels was downregulated upon TRIB3 silencing. TRIB3 was found to interact with E74 Like ETS transcription factor 4 (ELF4) in the nucleus and bound to ELF4 consensus sites within the catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) promoter in EC cell lines. These data indicated that TRIB3 may regulate CTNNB1 transcription by enhancing the recruitment of ELF4 to the CTNNB1 promoter. In conclusion, our results suggest that TRIB3 plays an oncogenic role in EC and positively regulates the self-renewal and tumorigenicity of EC-CSCs. Targeting TRIB3 is considered as a potential therapeutic strategy in future EC therapy.
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6
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Tae JY, Lee H, Lee H, Song Y, Park JB. Morphological stability, cellular viability and stem cell marker expression of three-dimensional cultures of stem cells from bone marrow and periodontium. Biomed Rep 2020; 14:9. [PMID: 33235724 PMCID: PMC7678627 DOI: 10.3892/br.2020.1385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphology, cellular viability and stem cell marker expression of three-dimensional cultures of bone marrow and gingiva-derived stem cells in different ratios. Stem cell spheroids were made with bone marrow and gingiva-derived stem cells using ratios of 6:0 (Group 1), 4:2 (Group 2), 3:3 (Group 3), 2:4 (Group 4) and 0:6 (Group 5), respectively. The viability of cell spheroids was analyzed using a Live/Dead kit assay and a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Total RNA extraction and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of Nanog and β-actin in each group. Stem cell spheroids were well formed in silicone elastomer-based concave microwells with different ratios of bone marrow and gingiva-derived stem cells. The shape of the spheroids and their viability were maintained throughout the entirety of the experimental procedure. Statistically significant increases in spheroid diameters were noted in Groups 4 and 5 on day 1 when compared with Group 1 on day 1. There was a significant increase in the cell viability values seen in Group 3 on day 1 when compared with Group 1 on day 1. Highest levels of Nanog expression was seen in Group 3 on day 10, but the increase was not significant when compared with Group 1 on day 1. Co-culturing with higher ratios of gingiva-derived stem cells produced stem cell spheroids with larger diameters and increased cellular viability. This co-culture technique may be used in stem cell therapy with allogenic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Yong Tae
- Department of Periodontics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjin Lee
- Department of Periodontics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuna Lee
- Department of Periodontics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmin Song
- Department of Periodontics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Beom Park
- Department of Periodontics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
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7
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Oh SJ, Lee J, Kim Y, Song KH, Cho E, Kim M, Jung H, Kim TW. Far Beyond Cancer Immunotherapy: Reversion of Multi-Malignant Phenotypes of Immunotherapeutic-Resistant Cancer by Targeting the NANOG Signaling Axis. Immune Netw 2020; 20:e7. [PMID: 32158595 PMCID: PMC7049583 DOI: 10.4110/in.2020.20.e7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, in the form of vaccination, adoptive cellular transfer, or immune checkpoint inhibitors, has emerged as a promising practice within the field of oncology. However, despite the developing field's potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, the presence of immunotherapeutic-resistant tumor cells in many patients present a challenge and limitation to these immunotherapies. These cells not only indicate immunotherapeutic resistance, but also show multi-modal resistance to conventional therapies, abnormal metabolism, stemness, and metastasis. How can immunotherapeutic-resistant tumor cells render multi-malignant phenotypes? We reasoned that the immune-refractory phenotype could be associated with multi-malignant phenotypes and that these phenotypes are linked together by a factor that acts as the master regulator. In this review, we discussed the role of the embryonic transcription factor NANOG as a crucial master regulator we named “common factor” in multi-malignant phenotypes and presented strategies to overcome multi-malignancy in immunotherapeutic-resistant cancer by restraining the NANOG-mediated multi-malignant signaling axis. Strategies that blunt the NANOG axis could improve the clinical management of therapy-refractory cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Jin Oh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Translational Research Institute for Incurable Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jaeyoon Lee
- College of Science, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yukang Kim
- Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Kwon-Ho Song
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Translational Research Institute for Incurable Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Eunho Cho
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Translational Research Institute for Incurable Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Minsung Kim
- Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Heejae Jung
- Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Tae Woo Kim
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Translational Research Institute for Incurable Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
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8
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Giannone G, Attademo L, Scotto G, Genta S, Ghisoni E, Tuninetti V, Aglietta M, Pignata S, Valabrega G. Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells: Role, Characterization and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1820. [PMID: 31752447 PMCID: PMC6896186 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequent gynecological cancer. In patients with relapsed and advanced disease, prognosis is still dismal and development of resistance is common. In this context, endometrial Cancer Stem Cells (eCSC), stem-like cells capable to self-renewal and differentiation in mature cancer cells, represent a potential field of expansion for drug development. The aim of this review is to characterize the role of eCSC in EC, their features and how they could be targeted. CSC are involved in progression, invasiveness and metastasis (though epithelial to mesenchimal transition, EMT), as well as chemoresistance in EC. Nevertheless, isolation of eCSC is still controversial. Indeed, CD133, Aldheyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), CD117, CD55 and CD44 are enriched in CSCs but there is no universal marker nowadays. The most frequently activated pathways in eCSC are Wingless-INT (Wnt)/β-catenin, Notch1, and Hedghog, with a high expression of self-renewal transcription factors like Octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT), B Lymphoma Mo-MLV Insertion Region 1 Homolog (BMI1), North American Network Operations Group Homebox protein (NANOG), and SRY-Box 2 (SOX2). These pathways have been targeted with selective drugs alone or in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Unfortunately, although preclinical results are encouraging, few clinical data are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Giannone
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Laura Attademo
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Giulia Scotto
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Sofia Genta
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Eleonora Ghisoni
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Valentina Tuninetti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Sandro Pignata
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Giorgio Valabrega
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
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9
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Kogan EA, Unanyan AL, Namiot VA, Baburin DV, Udaltsov SN. A Precision Approach to the Diagnosis and Choice of Tactics in the Treatment of Endometrial Hyperplasia in Perimenopause. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350919040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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10
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Brakta S, Mas A, Al-Hendy A. The ontogeny of myometrial stem cells in OCT4-GFP transgenic mouse model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:333. [PMID: 30486855 PMCID: PMC6264618 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1079-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myometrium, the muscular wall of the uterus, is an active organ markedly remodeled during a woman's reproductive life, especially during pregnancy. Different studies using the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and side population methods in murine and human myometrium have suggested the presence of somatic stem cells in this tissue because of its remarkable regenerative capacity. Recently, our group has developed a surface-marker (Stro1/CD44)-specific approach to isolate and characterize myometrial somatic stem cells (SSCs) from humans and rats. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to identify and localize the putative myometrial stem cell population in the murine uterus by using the specific surface markers, Nanog/CD44. METHODS Uteri from OCT4-GFP transgenic mice at different early-life time points were analyzed via single and double immunohistochemistry to co-localize myometrial stem cell marker CD44 with other general stemmness markers, e.g., Nanog and Oct-4. Finally, we correlated the frequency of myometrial stem cells in vivo with the expression of sex steroid hormone receptors, estrogen receptor α (ERα), and progesterone receptors A and B (PR A&B). RESULTS Nanog+/CD44+ stem cells were present in murine myometrium. Both stem cell markers were shown to co-localize with Oct-4 expression. Time-course experiments demonstrated that their percentages were significantly lower at the pre-sexual age of 1 week than at the sexually mature ages of 3 to 24 weeks. Importantly, both ERα and PR A&B were abundantly expressed in the myometrium at ages 1, 3 and 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that murine CD44+ myometrial cells have features of somatic stem cells with the expression of typical undifferentiated markers. Furthermore, our results suggest that myometrial stem cells are sex steroid hormone dependent, likely via paracrine pathway, and increase in numbers with reproductive maturity and rise in serum estrogen and progesterone levels around 3 weeks of age in mice. The abundance and early onset expression of ER/PR emphasize the vulnerability of neonatal myometrium to environmental endocrine disruptors which can potentially lead to permanent reprograming and adult onset of myometrial disorders such as uterine fibroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumia Brakta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Augusta, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Aymara Mas
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, La Fe Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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11
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Carvalho MJ, Laranjo M, Abrantes AM, Casalta-Lopes J, Sarmento-Santos D, Costa T, Serambeque B, Almeida N, Gonçalves T, Mamede C, Encarnação J, Oliveira R, Paiva A, de Carvalho R, Botelho F, Oliveira C. Endometrial Cancer Spheres Show Cancer Stem Cells Phenotype and Preference for Oxidative Metabolism. Pathol Oncol Res 2018; 25:1163-1174. [PMID: 30499076 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-018-0535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize endometrial cancer regarding cancer stem cells (CSC) markers, regulatory and differentiation pathways, tumorigenicity and glucose metabolism. Endometrial cancer cell line ECC1 was submitted to sphere forming protocols. The first spheres generation (ES1) was cultured in adherent conditions (G1). This procedure was repeated and was obtained generations of spheres (ES1, ES2 and ES3) and spheres-derived cells in adherent conditions (G1, G2 and G3). Populations were characterized regarding CD133, CD24, CD44, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), hormonal receptors, HER2, P53 and β-catenin, fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake and metabolism by NMR spectroscopy. An heterotopic model evaluated differential tumor growth. The spheres self-renewal was higher in ES3. The putative CSC markers CD133, CD44 and ALDH expression were higher in spheres. The expression of estrogen receptor (ER)α and P53 decreased in spheres, ERβ and progesterone receptor had no significant changes and β-catenin showed a tendency to increase. There was a higher 18F-FDG uptake in spheres, which also showed a lower lactate production and an oxidative cytosol status. The tumorigenesis in vivo showed an earlier growth of tumours derived from ES3. Endometrial spheres presented self-renewal and differentiation capacity, expressed CSC markers and an undifferentiated phenotype, showing preference for oxidative metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Carvalho
- Gynecology Service, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Universitary Clinic of Gynecology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mafalda Laranjo
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Abrantes
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Casalta-Lopes
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Radiotherapy Service, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Tânia Costa
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Serambeque
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno Almeida
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Telmo Gonçalves
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Mamede
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Encarnação
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Oliveira
- Pathology Service, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Artur Paiva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui de Carvalho
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filomena Botelho
- Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Oliveira
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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12
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James K, Bhartiya D, Ganguly R, Kaushik A, Gala K, Singh P, Metkari SM. Gonadotropin and steroid hormones regulate pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells in adult mouse uterine endometrium. J Ovarian Res 2018; 11:83. [PMID: 30241552 PMCID: PMC6148988 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0454-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) exist in adult organs, express pluripotent markers and have the ability to differentiate into three germ layers in vitro. Testicular, ovarian and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells express receptors for follicle stimulating (FSH) and ovarian hormones and are activated by them to undergo proliferation/differentiation. VSELs exist in mouse uterus and are regulated by physiological dose of estradiol (E) & progesterone (P) during endometrial growth, differentiation and regeneration/remodeling. In the present study, effects of daily administration of E (2 μg/day), P (1 mg/Kg/day) or FSH (5 IU/day) for 7 days on the endometrium and stem/progenitor cells was studied in bilaterally ovariectomized mice. Results E treatment resulted in hypertrophy whereas P resulted in hyperplasia and overcrowding of epithelial cells. FSH also directly stimulated the endometrial cells. Nuclear OCT-4A positive VSELs were visualized in ovariectomized (atrophied) endometrium and cytoplasmic OCT-4B positive epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells were observed after treatment. FSH treated uterine tissue showed presence of 4 alternately spliced FSHR isoforms by Western blotting. 3–5 μm VSELs with a surface phenotype of LIN-/CD45-/SCA-1+ were enumerated by flow cytometry and were found to express ER, PR, FSHR1 and FSHR3 by RT-PCR analysis. Differential effects of treatment were observed on pluripotent (Oct4A, Sox2, Nanog), progenitors (Oct-4, Sca-1), primordial germ cells (Stella, Fragilis) and proliferation (Pcna) specific transcripts by qRT-PCR analysis. FSH and P (rather than E) exerted profound, direct stimulatory effects on uterine VSELs. Asymmetric, symmetric divisions and clonal expansion of stem/progenitor cells was confirmed by co-expression of OCT-4 and NUMB. Conclusions Results confirm presence of VSELs and their regulation by circulatory hormones in mouse uterus. Stem cell activation was more prominent after P and FSH compared to E treatment. The results question whether epithelial cells proliferation is regulated by paracrine influence of stromal cells or due to direct action of hormones on stem cells. VSELs expressing nuclear OCT-4A are the most primitive and pluripotent stem cells, undergo asymmetric cell division to self-renew and differentiate into epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells with cytoplasmic OCT-4B. Role of follicle stimulating and steroid hormones on the stem cells needs to be studied in various uterine pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kreema James
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - Deepa Bhartiya
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India.
| | - Ranita Ganguly
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - Ankita Kaushik
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - Kavita Gala
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - Pushpa Singh
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - S M Metkari
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
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13
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Szaryńska M, Olejniczak A, Kobiela J, Spychalski P, Kmieć Z. Therapeutic strategies against cancer stem cells in human colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:7653-7668. [PMID: 29250169 PMCID: PMC5727596 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent malignancy and represents the fourth most common cause of cancer-associated mortalities in the world. Despite many advances in the treatment of CRC, the 5-year survival rate of patients with CRC remains unsatisfactory due to tumor recurrence and metastases. Recently, cancer stem cells (CSCs), have been suggested to be responsible for the initiation and relapse of the disease, and have been identified in CRC. Due to their basic biological features, which include self-renewal and pluripotency, CSCs may be novel therapeutic targets for CRC and other cancer types. Conventional therapeutics only act on proliferating and mature cancer cells, while quiescent CSCs survive and often become resistant to chemotherapy. In this review, markers of CRC-CSCs are evaluated and the recently introduced experimental therapies that specifically target these cells by inducing CSC proliferation, differentiation and sensitization to apoptotic signals via molecules including Dickkopf-1, bone morphogenetic protein 4, Kindlin-1, tankyrases, and p21-activated kinase 1, are discussed. In addition, novel strategies aimed at inhibiting some crucial processes engaged in cancer progression regulated by the Wnt, transforming growth factor β and Notch signaling pathways (pyrvinium pamoate, silibinin, PRI-724, P17, and P144 peptides) are also evaluated. Although the metabolic alterations in cancer were first described decades ago, it is only recently that the concept of targeting key regulatory molecules of cell metabolism, such as sirtuin 1 (miR-34a) and AMPK (metformin), has emerged. In conclusion, the discovery of CSCs has resulted in the definition of novel therapeutic targets and the development of novel experimental therapies for CRC. However, further investigations are required in order to apply these novel drugs in human CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Szaryńska
- Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk; Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agata Olejniczak
- Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk; Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kobiela
- Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Invasive Medicine Center, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Piotr Spychalski
- Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Invasive Medicine Center, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Kmieć
- Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk; Gdańsk, Poland
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14
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In-vitro construction of endometrial-like epithelium using CD146 + mesenchymal cells derived from human endometrium. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 35:241-252. [PMID: 28668272 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial CD146+ cells were purified, using magnetic activated cell sorting, and then embedded and cultured in a collagen-matrigel scaffold on top of myometrial smooth muscle cells for 10 days. At the end of culture period, the differentiation and formation of the epithelial-like cells were confirmed by morphological and ultrastructural evaluations, and analysis by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of the specific expression of genes: osteopontin (SPP1), matrix metalloproteinase 2, zonula occludens 1, laminin alpha 2 and collagen type IV; and by western blotting of CD9 protein. The results showed that the human endometrial mesenchymal CD146+ cells were able to produce endometrial glandular tube-like structures in vitro. Ultrastructural observation revealed some projections on the apical surfaces, appearance of basal lamina-like structures on the basal surface, and tight junctions and desmosomes on the lateral surfaces of the epithelial-like cells. The expression of studied genes at RNA level and CD9 at protein level confirmed the formation of endometrial epithelial-like cells. This culture system may have potential applications in cell therapy and in studies on human embryo implantation.
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15
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Gong B, Yue Y, Wang R, Zhang Y, Jin Q, Zhou X. Overexpression of microRNA-194 suppresses the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in targeting stem cell transcription factor Sox3 in endometrial carcinoma stem cells. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317706217. [PMID: 28618953 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317706217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Baolan Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yan Yue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Renxiao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Quanfang Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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16
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Toraih EA, Fawzy MS, El-Falouji AI, Hamed EO, Nemr NA, Hussein MH, Abd El Fadeal NM. Stemness-related transcriptional factors and homing gene expression profiles in hepatic differentiation and cancer. Mol Med 2016; 22:653-663. [PMID: 27623812 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2016.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transcriptional signature activation is an essential event in the development of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the differential expression profile of three pluripotency-associated genes (OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2), G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and the ligand (CXCL2), and alpha feto-protein (AFP) in hepatogenic differentiated stem cells and in sera of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood were differentiated using hepatogenic differentiation media. Serum specimens were collected from 96 patients (32 cirrhotic HCV, 32 early HCC, and 32 late HCC) and 96 controls. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed for relative quantification of the 6 target genes using LIVAC method. In silico network analysis was also executed to explore the pluripotency and tumorigenic regulatory circuits in liver cancer. The expression levels of all genes declined gradually during the stages of stem cell differentiation. On univariate and multivariate analyses, NANOG, CXCR4 and AFP were significantly up-regulated in HCC patients with late clinical stage. In contrast, SOX2 and CXCL2 were markedly over-expressed in cirrhotic patients and could be used for clear demarcation between cirrhotic and HCC patients in our cases. In conclusion, our data highlight the potential role of SOX2 stem cell marker and CXCL2 chemokine in liver cell degeneration and fibrogenesis in HCV-induced hepatic cirrhosis in our sample of the Egyptian population. In addition, the significant association of NANOG and CXCR4 high-expression with late HCC, could contribute to the acquisition of stem cell-like properties in hepatic cancer and dissemination in late stages, respectively. Taken together, our results could have a potential application in HCC prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A Toraih
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, P.O. 41522
| | - Manal S Fawzy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, P.O. 41522
| | | | - Elham O Hamed
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Nader A Nemr
- Endemic and Infectious diseases Department, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | | | - Noha M Abd El Fadeal
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, P.O. 41522
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Carvalho MJ, Laranjo M, Abrantes AM, Torgal I, Botelho MF, Oliveira CF. Clinical translation for endometrial cancer stem cells hypothesis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2016. [PMID: 26224131 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-015-9574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most frequent gynecological malignancy in developed world. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are recognized as a small proportion of cells among the tumor cell population that are capable of self-renewal, aberrant differentiation, and escape homeostasis. This review aims to systematize the existing evidence of CSC of endometrial cancer and its clinical translation. In endometrial cancer, the cancer stem cell hypothesis has been studied in vitro using the isolation of colony forming units, side population with dye efflux capacity, and tumorospheres. The stem cell markers for endometrial cancer do not have uniform characteristics, albeit CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were being associated with CSC phenotype. The application of endometrial CSC on xenograft models proves the tumorigenic capacity of this small group of cells. The metastatic process has been explained due to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in which CSC seems to have a critical role. The chemoresistance is characteristic of CSC that in endometrial cancer has been shown in CSC phenotype and associated with CSC markers. The most ambitious potential for CSC is the development of targeted therapies. Its application on endometrial cancer is still poor, being a future perspective for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Carvalho
- Unit of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Gynecology A Service, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mafalda Laranjo
- Unit of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Abrantes
- Unit of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Torgal
- Gynecology A Service, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Filomena Botelho
- Unit of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Freire Oliveira
- CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
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Fayazi M, Salehnia M, Ziaei S. Characteristics of Human Endometrial Stem Cells in Tissue and Isolated Cultured Cells: An Immunohistochemical Aspect. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2015; 20:109-16. [PMID: 26568058 PMCID: PMC4726891 DOI: 10.7508/ibj.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the percentage of the stem cells population in human endometrial tissue sections and cultured cells at fourth passage. Methods: Human endometrial specimens were divided into two parts, one part for morphological studies and the other part for in vitro culture. Full thickness of human normal endometrial sections and cultured endometrial cells at fourth passage were analyzed via immunohistochemistry for CD146 and some stemness markers such as Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Klf4 and the expression of typical mesenchymal stem cell markers CD90, CD105. Results: 11.88±1.29% of human endometrial cells within tissue sections expressed CD146 marker vs. 28±2.3% of cultured cells, CD90 and CD105 were expressed by functionalis stroma (85±2.4 and 89±3.2%) than basalis stroma (16±1.4 and 17±1.9%), respectively (P<0.05). Oct4 and Nanog-expressing cells comprise 1.43±0.08 and 0.54±0.01% of endometrial stromal cells in endometrial sections vs. 12±3.1% and 8±2.9% of cultured cells, respectively. They reside near the glands in the basal layer of endometrium. Sox2 and Klf4 were not commonly expressed in tissue samples and cultured cells. CD9 and EpCAM were expressed by epithelial cells of the endometrium, rather than by stroma or perivascular cells. Conclusion: The human endometrial stem cells and pluripotency markers may be localized more in basalis layer of endometrium. The immunostaining observations of endometrial cells at fourth passage were correlated with the immunohistochemistry data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri Fayazi
- Dept. of Anatomy, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Saeideh Ziaei
- 2Dept. of Midwifery, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Hadjimichael C, Chanoumidou K, Papadopoulou N, Arampatzi P, Papamatheakis J, Kretsovali A. Common stemness regulators of embryonic and cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2015; 7:1150-1184. [PMID: 26516408 PMCID: PMC4620423 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i9.1150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells is regulated by a well characterized gene transcription circuitry. The circuitry is assembled by ESC specific transcription factors, signal transducing molecules and epigenetic regulators. Growing understanding of stem-like cells, albeit of more complex phenotypes, present in tumors (cancer stem cells), provides a common conceptual and research framework for basic and applied stem cell biology. In this review, we highlight current results on biomarkers, gene signatures, signaling pathways and epigenetic regulators that are common in embryonic and cancer stem cells. We discuss their role in determining the cell phenotype and finally, their potential use to design next generation biological and pharmaceutical approaches for regenerative medicine and cancer therapies.
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20
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Pityński K, Banas T, Pietrus M, Milian-Ciesielska K, Ludwin A, Okon K. SOX-2, but not Oct4, is highly expressed in early-stage endometrial adenocarcinoma and is related to tumour grading. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2015; 8:8189-8198. [PMID: 26339387 PMCID: PMC4555715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expression of SOX-2 and Oct4 as markers for the identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been revealed in several malignancies. In this study, the co-expression of SOX-2 and Oct4 and their correlation with clinicopathological features of endometrial adenocarcinomas (EACs) was investigated. METHODS SOX-2 and Oct4 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 27 (39.13%) stage IA and in 42 (60.87%) stage IB International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) EACs and related to the clinicopathological features of patients. RESULTS The expression of SOX-2 was confirmed in 62/69 tumour specimens compared to Oct4 expression in 46/69 specimens (P = 0.015) and no difference in median staining intensity between SOX-2 and Oct-4 was observed. The highest median SOX-2 expression was found in high-grade (G3) EAC samples compared to moderate-grade (G2) EAC specimens (P = 0.020) and low-grade (G1) specimens (P = 0.008), while no differences in median Oct4 expression in EAC samples according to grading were present. In G3 specimens, significantly higher median SOX-2 expression was noted compared to Oct4 (P = 0.002). SOX-2 and Oct4 co-expression was observed only in G1 EAC (R: 0.51; P = 0.031). Age of EAC diagnosis was positively correlated with SOX-2 expression (b = 0.193; R(2) = 10.83%; P = 0.003) but not to age of menarche, menopause, parity or body mass index. CONCLUSIONS There is no need to use SOX-2 expression as a poor outcome predictor in stage I EAC, and SOX-2 expression should be analysed in more advanced stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazimierz Pityński
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University, Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics Krakow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Banas
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University, Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics Krakow, Poland
| | - Milosz Pietrus
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University, Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Artur Ludwin
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University, Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Okon
- Department of Pathomorphology, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Poland
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Bai M, Yuan M, Liao H, Chen J, Xie B, Yan D, Xi X, Xu X, Zhang Z, Feng Y. OCT4 pseudogene 5 upregulates OCT4 expression to promote proliferation by competing with miR-145 in endometrial carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2015; 33:1745-52. [PMID: 25634023 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.3763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OCT4 plays a critical role in the maintenance of stem cell pluripotency and proliferation, and is overexpressed in multiple human tumors, including endometrial cancer. OCT4 expression can be modulated by miR-145 and the OCT4 pseudogene 5 (OCT4-pg5), which share similar binding sites in the OCT4 3'-untranslated region. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the interaction between miR-145 and OCT4‑pg5 on OCT4 expression in endometrial cancer. We assessed OCT4-pg5 expression in 14 benign endometrium and 29 endometrial carcinoma samples. Furthermore, miR-145 mimic transfection was performed to explore its effect on OCT4-pg5 and OCT4 expression, and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of OCT4 was conducted to determine whether the effect of OCT4-pg5 on cellular growth was OCT4-dependent. We observed that OCT4-pg5 was abnormally activated in the endometrial carcinomas, and that overexpression of OCT4-pg5 contributed to enhanced cell proliferation and OCT4-PI3K/AKT-cyclin D1 signaling. Moreover, the miR-145 mimic depleted OCT4 expression, whereas elevated OCT4-pg5 restored OCT4 expression and OCT4-PI3K/AKT-cyclin D1 signaling. In conclusion, these data indicate that OCT4-pg5 can act as an RNA sponge to protect OCT4 transcripts from being inhibited by miR-145, providing novel insight into the control of OCT4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Bai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Mu Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hong Liao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jiazhou Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Binying Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dong Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Xi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xianming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zhenbo Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Youji Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Toloudi M, Apostolou P, Chatziioannou M, Eleni K, Ioanna V, Georgia M, Papasotiriou I. A possible clinical benefit of the identification and characterization of colon cancer stem cells. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60621-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Ionizing radiations sustain glioblastoma cell dedifferentiation to a stem-like phenotype through survivin: possible involvement in radioresistance. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1543. [PMID: 25429620 PMCID: PMC4260760 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBM) are some bad prognosis brain tumors despite a conventional
treatment associating surgical resection and subsequent radio-chemotherapy. Among
these heterogeneous tumors, a subpopulation of chemo- and radioresistant GBM
stem-like cells appears to be involved in the systematic GBM recurrence. Moreover,
recent studies showed that differentiated tumor cells may have the ability to
dedifferentiate and acquire a stem-like phenotype, a phenomenon also called
plasticity, in response to microenvironment stresses such as hypoxia. We hypothesized
that GBM cells could be subjected to a similar dedifferentiation process after
ionizing radiations (IRs), then supporting the GBM rapid recurrence after
radiotherapy. In the present study we demonstrated that subtoxic IR exposure of
differentiated GBM cells isolated from patient resections potentiated the long-term
reacquisition of stem-associated properties such as the ability to generate primary
and secondary neurospheres, the expression of stemness markers and an increased
tumorigenicity. We also identified during this process an upregulation of the
anti-apoptotic protein survivin and we showed that its specific downregulation led to
the blockade of the IR-induced plasticity. Altogether, these results demonstrated
that irradiation could regulate GBM cell dedifferentiation via a survivin-dependent
pathway. Targeting the mechanisms associated with IR-induced plasticity will likely
contribute to the development of some innovating pharmacological strategies for an
improved radiosensitization of these aggressive brain cancers.
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Sun AX, Liu CJ, Sun ZQ, Wei Z. NANOG: A promising target for digestive malignant tumors. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:13071-13078. [PMID: 25278701 PMCID: PMC4177486 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NANOG has been extensively researched since its discovery by Chambers et al. NANOG is a homeodomain transcription factor and an essential regulator of embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal, which inhibits differentiation. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells that are thought to drive uncontrolled tumor growth; CSCs retain the tumor capabilities of self-renewal and propagation. The existence of CSCs was recently shown by direct experimental evidence. NANOG is expressed in CSCs and ESCs, although it remains unclear whether ESCs and CSCs share similar mechanisms in the regulation of physical and biological processes. Several studies suggest that the expression level of NANOG is high in cancer tissues and low or absent in normal tissues. High levels of NANOG expression are associated with advanced stages of cancer and a poor prognosis, indicating that it plays a vital role in tumor transformation, tumorigenesis, and tumor metastasis. NANOG is part of a complex regulatory network that controls cell fate determination, proliferation, and apoptosis. NANOG cooperates with other regulators, such as microflora, transcription factors, and kinases, in cancer cells. NANOG might have a promising future in anti-cancer and other therapeutic treatments, which could improve human health.
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26
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Huang CE, Yu CC, Hu FW, Chou MY, Tsai LL. Enhanced chemosensitivity by targeting Nanog in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:14935-48. [PMID: 25158233 PMCID: PMC4200775 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150914935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemo-resistance is the major cause of high mortality in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) in which HNSCC-derived cancer stem cells (CSCs) may be involved. Previously, we enriched a subpopulation of HNSCC-derived spheroid cells (SC) (HNSCC-SC) and identified Nanog as a CSCs marker. The aim of this study was to determine the role of Nanog in the chemosensitivity of HNSCC. The functional and clinicopathological studies of Nanog were investigated in HNSCC cells and specimens. Nanog expression was increased in HNSCC cell lines as compared to a normal oral epithelial cell line. Nanog upregulation in clinical tissues from HNSCC patients with recurrent and metastatic specimens relative to the mRNA levels in the samples from normal or primary tissues were examined. Targeting Nanog in HNSCC-SC significantly inhibited their tumorigenic and CSCs-like abilities and effectively increased the sensitivity of HNSCC-SC to chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin treatment. Targeting Nanog in HNSCC-SC showed a synergistic therapeutic effect with cisplatin. Our results suggest that targeting Nanog may have promising therapeutic potential for HNSCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cisplatin/pharmacology
- Cisplatin/therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Epithelial Cells/drug effects
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Nanog Homeobox Protein
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Spheroids, Cellular/drug effects
- Spheroids, Cellular/metabolism
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-En Huang
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Chia Yu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
| | - Fang-Wei Hu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Yung Chou
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
| | - Lo-Lin Tsai
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
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Song Y, Xiao L, Fu J, Huang W, Wang Q, Zhang X, Yang S. Increased expression of the pluripotency markers sex-determining region Y-box 2 and Nanog homeobox in ovarian endometriosis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:42. [PMID: 24884521 PMCID: PMC4031377 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The precise etiology of endometriosis is not fully understood; the involvement of stem cells theory is a new hypothesis. Related studies mainly focus on stemness-related genes, and pluripotency markers may play a role in the etiology of endometriosis. We aimed to analyze the transcription pluripotency factors sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), Nanog homeobox (NANOG), and octamer-binding protein 4 (OCT4) in the endometrium of reproductive-age women with and without ovarian endometriosis. METHODS We recruited 26 women with laparoscopy-diagnosed ovarian endometriosis (endometriosis group) and 16 disease-free women (control group) to the study. Endometrial and endometriotic samples were collected. SOX2, NANOG, and OCT4 expression were analyzed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Compared to the control group, SOX2 mRNA and protein expression was significantly higher in the eutopic endometrium of participants in the endometriosis group. In the endometriosis group, SOX2 and NANOG mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in ectopic endometrium compared with eutopic endometrium; there was a trend towards lower OCT4 mRNA expression and higher OCT4 protein expression in ectopic endometrium. CONCLUSIONS The transcription pluripotency factors SOX2 and NANOG were overexpression in ovarian endometriosis, their role in pathogenesis of endometriosis should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Jing Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Qiushi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Shiyuan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
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Zhou X, Gao Q, Wang J, Zhang X, Liu K, Duan Z. Linc-RNA-RoR acts as a "sponge" against mediation of the differentiation of endometrial cancer stem cells by microRNA-145. Gynecol Oncol 2014; 133:333-9. [PMID: 24589415 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2013] [Revised: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recently, large intergenic non-coding ribonucleic acids-RoR (linc-RoR) was reported to regulate expression of core stem cell transcription factors (TFs), but its role in endometrial tumorsphere is still unknown. METHODS Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to characterize linc-RoR expression in ETs. After construction of adenovirus vectors carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP), these vectors were transfected into ETs to estimate the effects of overexpression or knocked down expression of miR-145, linc-RoR or Dicer. Flow cytometry was employed to ascertain transfection efficiency, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to compare their levels. Colony formation was analyzed using cultured gelatin-coated tissue cultures. miR-145 potential targeting sites in linc-RoR were mutated using a site-directed mutagenesis kit to verify its competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) effects. RESULTS Expression of linc-RoR and core stem cell TFs was associated with the pluripotent state of ETs, whereas miR-145 expression increased after ET differentiation. Greater expression of miR-145 could lead to down-regulation of linc-RoR and core TFs, and decreased colony formation. Converse effects could be achieved after knocked-down miR-145 expression. The effects of miR-145 could be eliminated after increasing the expression of linc-RoR in ETs or mutated targeted sequences in linc-RoR. Knocked-down Dicer expression could improve the expression of linc-RoR and core TFs. CONCLUSIONS Linc-RoR is a ceRNA and acts as a miR-145 "sponge" to inhibit mediation of the differentiation of ETs by miR-145. These results suggest that linc-RoR has an important role during endometrial carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, PR China; Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, PR China
| | - Qin Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, PR China
| | - Jianzhong Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010030, PR China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, PR China
| | - Kaige Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Shaanxi 710077, PR China
| | - Zhao Duan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, PR China.
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Wang ML, Chiou SH, Wu CW. Targeting cancer stem cells: emerging role of Nanog transcription factor. Onco Targets Ther 2013; 6:1207-20. [PMID: 24043946 PMCID: PMC3772775 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s38114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of stemness factors in cancer initiation and progression has drawn much attention recently, especially after the finding that introducing four stemness factors in somatic cells is able to reprogram the cells back to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Following accumulating data revealing abnormal elevated expression levels of key stemness factors, like Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2, in several types of cancer stem cells; the importance and therapeutic potential of targeting these stemness regulators in cancers has turned to research focus. Nanog determines cell fate in both embryonic and cancer stem cells; activating Nanog at an inappropriate time would result in cancer stem cells rather than normal pluripotent stem cells or differentiated somatic cells. Upregulated Nanog is correlated with poor survival outcome of patients with various types of cancer. The discoveries of downstream regulatory pathways directly or indirectly mediated by Nanog indicate that Nanog regulates several aspects of cancer development such as tumor cell proliferation, self-renewal, motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, and drug-resistance, which are all defined features for cancer stem cells. The current review paper illustrates the central role of Nanog in the regulatory networks of cancer malignant development and stemness acquirement, as well as in the communication between cancer cells and the surrounding stroma. Though a more defined model is needed to test the therapeutic efficacy of targeting Nanog as a cancer treatment method, current animal experiments using siNanog or shNanog have shown the promising therapeutic potential of Nanog targeting in several types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mong-Lien Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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30
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Sun C, Sun L, Jiang K, Gao DM, Kang XN, Wang C, Zhang S, Huang S, Qin X, Li Y, Liu YK. NANOG promotes liver cancer cell invasion by inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition through NODAL/SMAD3 signaling pathway. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:1099-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2013.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Revised: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Schreiber C, Kuch V, Umansky V, Sleeman JP. Autochthonous mouse melanoma and mammary tumors do not express the pluripotency genes Oct4 and Nanog. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57465. [PMID: 23468991 PMCID: PMC3585372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The homeodomain transcription factors Oct4 and Nanog maintain pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic stem cells. In somatic cells, inappropriate expression of these genes has been associated with loss of differentiation, malignant transformation, and the acquisition of cancer stem cell-like properties. As cancer stem cells have been suggested to underlie the growth and malignancy of tumors, Oct4 and Nanog may represent therapeutic targets. Their expression could also act as a marker of the cancer stem cell population, permitting its isolation and characterisation. Nevertheless, the existence of multiple pseudogenes and isoforms of these genes has complicated the interpretation of the data that supports a role for Oct4 and Nanog in the cancer context. Here we addressed this issue using knockin mice in which IRES elements are used to allow GFP expression under the control of the endogenous Oct4 or Nanog promoters, while maintaining correct expression of the Oct4 or Nanog gene. These mice were crossed with MT/ret mice that develop melanomas, and with MMTV-PyMT mice and MMTV-Neu mice that develop mammary adenocarcinomas. We analysed the tumors that developed in these compound mice for GFP expression. In this way we could assess transcription of Oct4 and Nanog in autochthonous cancers without the complication of factors such as pseudogene expression, alternative splicing and antibody specificity. Both the Oct4 and Nanog knockin tumor-bearing mice expressed GFP in blastocysts and testes as expected. However, we could find no evidence for expression of the GFP reporter above background levels in tumors using FACS, qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, cultivation of Oct4GFP and NanogGFP MMTV-PyMT tumor cells either adherently or as spheroids had no effect on the expression of the GFP reporter. Together these data suggest that Oct4 and Nanog are not expressed in tumor cells that arise in the autochthonous cancer models studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Schreiber
- Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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Sox2 expression predicts poor survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and it promotes liver cancer cell invasion by activating Slug. Med Oncol 2013; 30:503. [PMID: 23430442 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-013-0503-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sox2 is a major transcription factor essential to the stemness characteristics and is associated with various types of cancers. In this study, we investigated the expressions and functional roles of Sox2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our data show that high level of Sox2 expression correlates with metastasis and low survival rate in HCC. HCC cells overexpressing Sox2 are characterized by active epithelial-mesenchymal transition and exhibit increased ability of transwell invasion, soft agar colonization, and sphere formation. We also found Sox2 expression was correlated with the transcription activity of SLUG promoter region. These results present novel mechanistic insight into an important role of Sox2 in HCC and suggest a potential application of Sox2 in HCC prognosis and treatment.
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Yin X, Li YW, Jin JJ, Zhou Y, Ren ZG, Qiu SJ, Zhang BH. The clinical and prognostic implications of pluripotent stem cell gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2013; 5:1155-1162. [PMID: 23599755 PMCID: PMC3628965 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2013.1151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated that aberrant expression of pluripotent stem cell-related genes may confer primitive and aggressive traits and be associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in certain solid cancers. However, the role of pluripotent stem cell gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unexplored. We evaluated the expression of the pluri potent stem cell genes Oct4, Sox2 and Klf4, as well as that of the c-Myc, Nanog and Lin28 genes in HCC samples and corresponding adjacent non-tumor liver samples obtained from 57 patients using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). The results revealed that six pluripotent stem cell gene expression levels were upregulated in the tumor tissues compared with the corresponding adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. In HCC tissues, aberrant expression of Sox2 and Lin28 was associated with a large tumor size (P=0.02 and P=0.03, respectively), while increased expression levels of c-Myc (P=0.01) were correlated with vascular invasion. Moreover, high Klf4 expression levels were associated with aggressive tumor behaviors in terms of vascular invasion (P=0.02) and poor tumor differentiation (P=0.03). Survival analysis revealed that Klf4 expression was independently associated with overall survival [OS; hazard ratio (HR), 8.61; 95% confidential interval (CI), 2.7–27.5; P<0.001] and recurrence-free survival (RFS; HR, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.3–11.6; P=0.01). In conclusion, pluripotent stem cell genes are associated with HCC progression and a poor prognosis. The development of therapeutic strategies, including adjuvant therapy, that take cancer stem cell (CSC)-related markers into consideration is likely to be a key factor in further improvements of the prognosis of HCC patients undergoing curative liver resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yin
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Ho B, Olson G, Figel S, Gelman I, Cance WG, Golubovskaya VM. Nanog increases focal adhesion kinase (FAK) promoter activity and expression and directly binds to FAK protein to be phosphorylated. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:18656-73. [PMID: 22493428 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.322883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanog and FAK were shown to be overexpressed in cancer cells. In this report, the Nanog overexpression increased FAK expression in 293, SW480, and SW620 cancer cells. Nanog binds the FAK promoter and up-regulates its activity, whereas Nanog siRNA decreases FAK promoter activity and FAK mRNA. The FAK promoter contains four Nanog-binding sites. The site-directed mutagenesis of these sites significantly decreased up-regulation of FAK promoter activity by Nanog. EMSA showed the specific binding of Nanog to each of the four sites, and binding was confirmed by ChIP assay. Nanog directly binds the FAK protein by pulldown and immunoprecipitation assays, and proteins co-localize by confocal microscopy. Nanog binds the N-terminal domain of FAK. In addition, FAK directly phosphorylates Nanog in a dose-dependent manner by in vitro kinase assay and in cancer cells in vivo. The site-directed mutagenesis of Nanog tyrosines, Y35F and Y174F, blocked phosphorylation and binding by FAK. Moreover, overexpression of wild type Nanog increased filopodia/lamellipodia formation, whereas mutant Y35F and Y174F Nanog did not. The wild type Nanog increased cell invasion that was inhibited by the FAK inhibitor and increased by FAK more significantly than with the mutants Y35F and Y174F Nanog. Down-regulation of Nanog with siRNA decreased cell growth reversed by FAK overexpression. Thus, these data demonstrate the regulation of the FAK promoter by Nanog, the direct binding of the proteins, the phosphorylation of Nanog by FAK, and the effect of FAK and Nanog cross-regulation on cancer cell morphology, invasion, and growth that plays a significant role in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baotran Ho
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA
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Yin X, Li YW, Zhang BH, Ren ZG, Qiu SJ, Yi Y, Fan J. Coexpression of stemness factors Oct4 and Nanog predict liver resection. Ann Surg Oncol 2012; 19:2877-87. [PMID: 22461131 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-012-2314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oct4 and Nanog are two major transcription factors related to the stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between these two stemness markers with recurrence, metastasis, and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Expression of Oct4 and Nanog was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a random cohort of 228 HCC patients (cohort A), predominantly hepatitis B related, and validated in another independent cohort of 95 patients (cohort B). Survival analysis was performed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Oct4 and Nanog expression levels in 5 HCC cell lines with different metastatic potential were detected by Western blot assay and quantitative real-time PCR assay. RESULTS In tissue microarrays, coexpression of Oct4 and Nanog was dramatically associated with big tumor size (P = .001) and vascular invasion (P = .02) and was an independent predictor of postoperative recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.57, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI] 1.21-2.04, P = .01) and poor prognosis (HR = 2.20, 95 % CI 1.71-2.88, P < .001). This association was further validated in patients in cohort B. Importantly, this correlation remained significant in patients with early-stage HCC or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative HCC. In addition, expression of Oct4 and Nanog increased in a concordant manner with the increase of metastatic potential in human HCC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Coexpression of stemness markers Oct4 and Nanog in HCC indicated the aggressive tumor behaviors and predicted a worse clinical outcome, which may be a useful biomarker to identify patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yin
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis & Cancer Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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